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Issue 183
Friday, October 20, 2023
Prince William County
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Dear Neighbors,
As we approach the Tuesday, November 7, election in Prince William County, I'd like to emphasize the fundamental importance of exercising your right to vote. Our democracy thrives when citizens actively participate in the electoral process. Regardless of your age or background, voting is a crucial way to have your voice heard and make a difference in the future of our County.
This message is particularly pertinent to our young residents, as your engagement and civic responsibility shape the course of our community for years to come. I encourage you to not only cast your vote but also consider taking a friend or family member to the polls. Voting is a shared experience that can foster dialogue and a sense of unity within our diverse community.
Local government plays a vital role in shaping the day-to-day lives of our residents. It is where decisions are made that directly impact our schools, roads, public safety, and other critical services. The County Board, School Board, and other local offices are responsible for allocating resources, making policies, and addressing the needs of our community. It is at the local level that we can best address the unique challenges and opportunities that our County faces.
For details on how you can vote now, please see the lead article in the County News section below. Also, be on the lookout for The Wheeler Report issue on Friday, November 3. It will have everything you need to know so you are set up for success if you are voting on Election Day, Tuesday, November 7.
In Service,
Chair Ann Wheeler
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Sunday, October 15, Chair Wheeler attended the PWC annual 5K Walk for Mental Health. | |
Wednesday, October 18, Chair Wheeler participated in the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Transportation Planning Board monthly meeting. | |
Thursday, October 19, Chair Wheeler attended the 2023 John J. Jenkins Good Scout Awards (County Happenings issue 182) celebration. | |
Thursday, October 19, a member from Chair Wheeler's Office attended the Community Services Board meeting and completed the REVIVE-Opioid Overdose Recognition and Response Training. | |
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About the Training
PWC Community Services offers free REVIVE workshops that provide the knowledge and confidence you need to potentially save a life during an opioid overdose emergency. Participants receive naloxone nasal spray and learn:
- How to recognize the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose.
- How to administer naloxone nasal spray to potentially reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
- Other knowledge needed to fully respond to an opioid overdose emergency (what to do and not do).
Visit the Community Services Events webpage to find and register to attend upcoming REVIVE workshops.
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Friday, October 20, Chair Wheeler's Office attended the Grand Opening Celebration of the GPW Health Center in Woodbridge. Virginia General Assembly Senator Jeremy McPike (top right) and Delegate Briana Sewell (bottom right) attended the event. | |
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GPW Health Center is a private non-profit community health center serving PWC and the Cities of Manassas and Manassas Park, as well as other surrounding areas of Northern Virginia. It serves as an important safety-net healthcare delivery role for the most vulnerable patients, reducing health gaps caused by differences in race and ethnicity, location, social status, income, and other factors that can affect health.
As a designated Federally Qualified Health Center, it uses an integrative care model, providing the convenience of Medical, Pediatric, OB/GYN, Dental, and Behavioral Health services for the whole family. More importantly, healthcare providers from all these disciplines work together to make sure the patient receives the best care possible.
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Tuesday, October 24
2:00 pm and 7:30 pm
For Public Comment Time options visit SpeakUp! Prince William. Remote speakers must sign up by 5:00 pm on Monday, October 23. In-person speakers can sign up at the meeting.
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Early In-Person Voting Expands | | |
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Starting Sunday, October 22, early in-person voting for the 2023 November General Election will have additional days and locations. Voters are required to show an acceptable form of ID. Curbside Voting is available for seniors and voters with disabilities at all in-person early voting locations in designated parking spaces. Drop boxes for those voting by mail are available at all early voting sites during business hours. | |
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Monday through Friday
Friday, September 22, through Friday, November 3
8:30 am to 4:30 pm
NEW! Weekends
Sunday, October 22
Saturday, October 28, and Saturday, November 4
8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Locations
Office of Elections: 9250 Lee Ave, Suite 1, Manassas
DMV Woodbridge: Elections Office, 2731 Caton Hill Road, Woodbridge
Haymarket Gainesville Library: 14870 Lightner Rd, Haymarket
NEW! Additional Locations
October 24 through November 4
8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Brentsville Courthouse Historic District: 12229 Bristow Road, Bristow
Dumfries Community Center: 17755 Main Street, Dumfries
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Friday, October 20, through Sunday, October 22, Virginia is holding a three-day Sales Tax Holiday. During the event, you can buy qualifying school supplies, clothing, footwear, hurricane and emergency preparedness items, and Energy Star™ and WaterSense™ products without paying sales tax. | |
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What items are eligible?
Detailed lists of qualifying items and more information for retailers can be found in the Sales Tax Holiday Guidelines.
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Saturday, October 21, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, the PWC Police Department K9 team will be competing in the 2023 Iron Dog Competition at Kettle Run High School in Nokesville (Fauquier County side). This is a family-friendly competition that will feature approximately 50 law enforcement and military K-9 teams from all over Virginia and the DC area. This event is open to the public and free to attend! | |
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About the Competition
The K-9 teams run an approximately 1.5 mile course where they complete a number of stations pertaining to the skills the K-9s are trained in. This competition is designed to test the strength, stamina, and teamwork of the K-9 Handler and their K-9.
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Supporting Those Who Help Others | |
Saturday, October 21, 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm, the Northern Virginia Food Rescue (Regional News issue 99) is hosting its 2nd annual Hunger is Scary fundraiser at its headquarters, located at 10535 Battleview Parkway in Manassas. The evening will include a costume contest, silent auction, dancing, drinks, and appetizers. General admission tickets are $50 and available here. | |
Learn About Becoming a Community Partner | | |
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Thursday, October 26, 7:00 pm, The Office of Management and Budget will hold a virtual information session about the County’s new Community Partners process. If you are a part of a non-profit organization and looking to obtain funding to help provide community services in PWC, this is an opportunity to learn how to become a Community Partner and ask any questions about the new process. Visit here to learn more and register to attend. | |
Wednesday, October 25, the PWC Police Department Records and Licensing will be closed all day. Normal hours will resume on Thursday, October 26. | |
Solving a Problem and Doing Good | | |
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PWC Animal Services Center, working with the Department of Social Services, can now direct donations of dog food that cannot be used on-site toward doing some good. Serving Our Neighbors (SON), a non-profit organization that serves the homeless in the western end of the County, gets the surplus dog food out to the homeless and their pets. Volunteers at the Animal Services Center repackage the food into resealable bags, put the bags in large bins, and deliver them to SON’s bus. | |
The Prince William County Animal Control Bureau always seeks volunteers to work with the Prince William County Animal Services Center. If you are interested in volunteering or fostering, visit here. | |
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About SON's Bus
In August of 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Virginia Airborne Search and Rescue donated a used, 54-foot mobile command center, to Feeding Friends, a ministry affiliated with Gainesville United Methodist Church, that delivered meals to the homeless in the Sudley Corridor. Volunteers converted the vehicle to serve as a drop-in center to provide meals and help in any way they could. The volunteers worked with the PWC Department of Social Services Homeless Services Division to get the project up and running.
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Saturday, October 21, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, the Town of Haymarket is hosting the Haymarket Day 2023. The town’s biggest event of the year, it is attended by over 20,000 spectators and 200 vendors. Enjoy a hometown street festival including a parade featuring local schools, performers, law enforcement, local food, craft vendors, live music, and more! | | |
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Saturday, October 21, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, the PWC Animal Services is hosting Barktoberfest 2023 at the Chinn Park Fall Festival at the Chinn Park Library branch in Woodbridge. In addition to animal adoptions, there will be resources for pet owners, a pet photo booth, and more! | |
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PWC Animal Services Bureau offers free periodic Dog Training Courses for residents of PWC and surrounding communities at its location in Manassas. Classes are led by certified dog trainers who are volunteering their time to support our community. Classes last for 6 weeks, one session per week. The next class starts on Monday, October 30. Registration is required and spaces are limited. Priority is given to dogs adopted from the PWC Animal Services Center. | | | |
More "Spooky" Good Fun from PWC | | |
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Wednesday, October 25, 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm, the PWC Police Department Crime Prevention Unit invites County residents to its annual “Trunk or Treat.” This free event will be in Macy’s main parking lot at Manassas Mall. Come out for treats (while supplies last) and practical crime-prevention tips. For more information, call 703-792-7270. | |
Saturday, October 28, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, the PWC Service Authority is hosting the first annual Trick or "Treatment" event at the H.L. Mooney Advanced Wastewater Reclamation Facility in Woodbridge. Participants will trick-or-treat their way around tables hosted by local environmental organizations, learn about wastewater treatment and the environment, and have a chance to take a tour of a real wastewater facility. Costumes are optional but encouraged and all goblins and ghouls are welcome! Please refrain from any costumes that may be seen as offensive or include a weapon. | |
From PWC Department of Parks and Recreation | |
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"Stay Connected" with PWC Parks
Below are just a few of the great offerings by PWC Parks. Learn all the ways to “Stay Connected” to find out about all the latest programs, events, and activities, as well as find parks and trails near you.
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Saturday, October 28, wear pink and join the PWC Department of Parks and Recreation for a Breast Cancer Combo Class for a Cause and raise awareness for breast cancer during an invigorating Body 360+ followed by Xtreme Hip Hop Step class. All Fitness levels are welcome. Cost for Both Sessions: Free for Passholders, there is a $12 drop-in fee, which covers both classes, for non-members. Register here. | |
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Session 1: 9:30am - Body 360°+
Increase your maximum strength and power with traditional and non-traditional exercises by using a variety of strength equipment and unique bodyweight movements. Burn, sweat, tighten, and melt your body in this muscle sculpting, calorie-burning, intense workout!
Session 2: 10:30am - Xtreme Hip Hop Step
A revamp of traditional step aerobics with fun routines set to old and new-school hip hop, it makes you want to get up and move!
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Friday, November 3, 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, for Native American Heritage Month in November, join the PWC Department of Parks and Recreation for a Native American Campfire at Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre. Roast marshmallows and learn about the native peoples who lived in the Prince William area long before Europeans arrived. Interact with hands-on artifacts and compare how Native Americans lived close to 400 years ago to how we live today. Get tickets here. | | |
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Saturday, November 4, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, the PWC Department of Parks and Recreation is hosting a free 275th Anniversary Celebration Finale for Rippon Lodge. Participants of all ages can experience a day full of colonial living history demonstrations and impressions, military encampments from European and North American regiments, civilian and enslaved life in Virginia, tours of the lodge, crafts, games and more. | |
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County Website and Career Opportunities
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Real Estate Assessment and Personal Property Tax information
- Personal Property Payment and Changes Online Portal
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Solid Waste, Disposal Guide, Yard Waste, and Recycling
- Residential Zoning: Decks, Sheds, Fences, Additions, Retaining Walls, and Swimming Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs
- Library Branch Locations and Hours
- Parks and Recreation Online Location and Information Mapper
- Current Road Projects
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Pet Adoption and Dog Licenses
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Ann B. Wheeler was elected Chair At-Large of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors during the 2019 General Election and assumed office on January 1, 2020. Prince William County is located 25 miles south of Washington, D.C., and is the Commonwealth of Virginia’s second-most populous county with approximately 482,000 residents. | | | | |
